Hey guys! I know it's been forever and if you stuck around, you're amazing and I hope you like the first five revamped chapters. If you're new, I just hope you like these chapters! I'll be posting ever Tuesday and Thursday after this.
Disclaimer: I don't own any recognizable characters or places. My friends on Gaia and I own those you don't recognize though.
Chapter One: Meeting Meridian
People say that things get worse before they get better but I've waited seventeen years and I've yet to see the better. At age nine I had seen more darkness and felt more heartache than most people do their whole lives but the fates decided to give me another dark twist that year. Monsters began attacking me, eventually forcing me to leave my family behind so they wouldn't get caught in the crosshairs. By the time I made it to Camp, I was nearly dead and no one could figure out how I'd made it, after all I had no idea of my heritage let alone the Camp that for us. I still don't know how I managed to get here, mortals would say it was sheer luck but there's no such thing as luck when it comes to being a demigod. You'd think my life would get easier, being surrounded by people like me, and it did for a while but it didn't take long for it to take another wrong turn. I'll explain that later though, for now, we'll start on the day my life started twisting itself into even tighter knots…
Resting my book on my stomach as I closed my eyes and leaned against my drawstring backpack, running my fingers through the sand and soaking in the sun's warm rays. Laughing softly to myself as I once again appreciated the irony. After all, how many daughters of Athena find peace in her main rival's territory? Athena and Poseidon may have settled their rivalry for the legendary love of Percy and Annabeth but their children of Athena still tend to avoid the ocean as much as possible. Old habits die hard I guess.
The sound of soft footsteps, nearly muted by the sand, break me from my thoughts and my hand has just enough time to wrap around my dagger before I'm tackled to the ground. Rolling us over, I hold my dagger to the assailant's neck as I pin them to the ground.
"Hi, Ari," my best friend said, smiling cheekily up at me and I felt butterflies rise in my stomach as they always do when he looks at me. We'd been best friends since our first days at camp, we were bunked together in the Hermes Cabin, and we've been inseparable ever since...even when we found out he was a son of Poseidon and I was a daughter of Athena. We've basically grown up together for the past seven years since we're both year-rounders and I've been in love with him for the past three but every time I try to tell him another pair of brown eyes pop into my mind and I just can't find it in myself to say anything. He's nearly a foot taller than me at six foot nothing with lanky swimmer's muscles. He has deeply tanned skin, wavy raven hair, sharp facial features, and clear blue eyes. His style is that of well-worn jeans, ratty sneakers, and t-shirts that fit just snuggly enough to suggest muscles. His smile though is one of my favorite things about him. He has one of those smiles that can light up a room, that make everyone around him want to smile. The bad thing about our relationship is that we share the same fatal flaw, our fatal flaw is loyalty. Either one of us could get hurt by the other without much thought.
"Seriously, And? You trying to kill me young?" I laughed, rolling off him and to my feet as I sheathed my dagger and picked up my book, shoving it in my bag before slinging it over my shoulder.
"Shoot, you caught me. Guess I have to come up with a new master plan now... No, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday," he replied, his eyes twinkling with laughter as I helped him to his feet.
"And a simple 'Happy Birthday, Ariadne.' wouldn't suffice?" I raised my eyebrows at him, questioning him.
"What kind of best friend would I be if I did something like that?" He shot back, copying my facial expression with a smile on his face. "Now close your eyes."
"A normal one." I rolled my eyes with a smile on my face before complying, soon feeling a light weight on my chest.
"You can open them now," his voice came from behind me.
Looking down as I opened my eyes, I saw beautiful silver locket with a clear blue stone embedded into the top and an intricate pattern of swirls surrounding it. "It's beautiful Andy but you know jewelry can get you killed during fights," I told him as my hands made their way to the clasp on the back of my neck only to be stopped by his own hands.
"I think you can make an exception. Hold it in your hand and say: Νίκη," he replied, a knowing smile on his face.
My fingers wrapped around the cool metal and the word fell from my lips before I could even register what I was doing. Not even a second later, a sword just as beautiful as the locket replaced the necklace in my hand. It was weighted perfectly for me and its grip molded into my hand like it was meant for me but what truly amazed me was when I fully looked at it. The silver hilt, like the locket, had a clear blue stone embedded into it with swirls intricately etched all along it's metal while the brightly shining celestial bronze blade immensely contrasted with the pitch black leather grip- it had to be the most beautiful sword I'd ever seen. "Victory," I whispered, still staring down at the sword.
"A very appropriate name if I do say so myself considering rarely anyone ever beats you," Andy whispered, caused my stomach to churn as his eyes met mine.
"Thank you," I murmured, throwing my arms around his neck as my eyes welled with tears.
"You're my best friend Ari, you have been for seven years. I'd do anything for you, you know that. I love you," he replied, making my heart stop even though I knew he didn't mean it in the way that I wanted him to. "Now turn it back so I can show you something else."
Pulling back, I smiled as I said, "Νίκη." and my necklace returned to my neck.
He picked the locket up and opened it, allowing me to see the image of the two of us from the beginning of this summer after the Campers had beat the Hunters in capture the flag for the first time. "It shows images of your most treasured memories. You can think of a certain memory or just let it pick and choose on its own," he told me as it switched to one of me sitting on my bed with my half siblings Krystal and Jayden asleep on either side of me a few days after I'd saved them during our yearly trip to Olympus, th ey'd been running for months and only found each other by chance. It was also by chance that I found them. They were scared out of their minds, surviving only by the help of a mysterious dark man that had helped them reach New York but was separated from them when they were attacked on the outskirts of the city a week earlier. They didn't know where they were going or where they were safe, and I was just stepping out for some fresh air.
"You really outdid yourself this year," I replied, smiling up at him as he closed the locket and let it fall to my chest once more.
He opened his mouth to say something else but was cut off by the conch horn signaling it was time for lunch.
"Race you!" We exclaimed in unison, taking off in the direction of the mess hall. Slowing to a stop as I reached the mess hall, I couldn't help but laugh at Andy's disheveled look as he entered the Mess Hall moments later. He had tried to trip me halfway here but only succeeded in falling himself and allowing me to win...again.
After grabbing our food, we were heading towards our designated tables when two sets of little arms wrapped around my waist. "Happy birthday Ari!" Jayden and Krystal yelled in unison and I couldn't help but smile down at them. "Will you sit with us?"
"Who else would I sit with?" They knew I couldn't resist when they looked up at me like that. When their grey eyes, nearly identical to mine besides the fact that they both had an almost black ring around their pupils, shined brightly with hope like it would break their hearts if I ever said no to them. They knew they didn't need to do it, I sat with them every day. I loved them and they loved me. Krystal and Jay reminded me so much of the siblings I'd had to leave behind. Not in the way they looked or acted, they were polar opposites in that aspect, but in the way they looked at me like I could do no wrong- like I was invincible.
Jayden was five years old and barely came up to my waist. His skin is lightly tanned from all the time he spent outdoors and his light brown hair was naturally highlighted from the sun. He's shy but loyal to a fault and once he loves you, you can't help but love him too. Krystal, on the other hand, has a smile that can light up a room. Her bubbly attitude is contagious but she doesn't let many people get past the surface, her insecurity gets in the way of that. She has naturally highlighted blonde hair that falls in curls down her back and is small for a seven year old, just passing my waist. Her skin is lightly tanned like Jay's.
Lunch passed as it always does on days like today, all too quickly and I was off to the arena which my cabin was forced to share with the Ares cabin. Today I was also teaching swordsmanship by myself because the Ares instructor was "sick" again. It really made me wonder why he was cabin leader in the first place, who the hell thought that was a good idea? Krystal and Jay walked me to the arena but quickly asked if they could go to the fields like they did every day, they had lessons with me separately since they were both so young and the fields were their favorite place at Camp. They knew my answer already but they still felt the need to make sure it was ok with me before going anywhere.
I watched them run in the direction of the fields before walking into the arena and ordering everyone to partner up. After setting my bag down by the door, I looked up to see everyone had followed my instructions except one girl. She was around my age and I had never seen her before. Jet black hair randomly streaked with bright red contrasted greatly against her ivory skin, framing delicate facial features and warm brown eyes wouldn't lead you to believe she was a child of Ares but the way she carried herself and her sense of fashion made it unmistakable. She had this fire in her eyes, a cocky air, and a confident stance like she could beat anyone and she knew it. Worn black skinny jeans with slits all down the front and a chain attached to her belt loop, a red shirt that read: WAR is the new PEACE across the front in bold black letters, a black leather jacket with pins covering its outside, and old combat boots covered her petite frame.
"Hi, I'm Ariadne," I said as I walked up to her, everyone knew I got the newbies.
"Meridian," she replied, looking me up and down before smirking. First rule of battle: never judge an opponent by what they appear to be.
"Well, Meridian, you're my partner today. I take it you don't have a sword?" I had already started walking toward where we kept all the practice swords, thinking about which one would best suit her, when her voice stopped me.
"Actually, I do. My Dad gave it to me to protect my Mom on my thirteenth birthday." So that's why I hadn't heard anything about a new camper being claimed, she'd already known who her parent was.
"Great, we can demonstrate now then." I smiled lightly at her before turning around, placing my fingers to my lips, and whistling. "Today we're going to be learning how to disarm your opponent. It's a bit tricky but considering whose kids you are, you should pick this up rather quickly. Alright Meridian, where's your sword?"
Reaching up, she pulled a black and red clip from her hair before murmuring something under her breath and having a basic celestial bronze sword take its place. The only difference between this sword and the ones we practice with being that hers had a barely visible red aura around it, Ares' blessing. "Let's get this over with," she said, smirking.
"Let's," I replied, smiling back before grabbing my necklace and saying, "Νίκη." I saw some of my siblings fighting smiles when her smirk faltered for a moment before returning as I continued the lesson, "So, I'm going to show you guys the move in slow motion then the two of us are going to duel in real time until one of us successfully disarms the other." Turning toward Meridian again, I slowly went through the technique. "You start out by going at your opponent like you would any other attack but this time let your blade slide against theirs until your hilt hits theirs then twist your blade. This will force your opponent to either let go of their blade or break their wrist." Meridian's blade clattered to the ground. "Now in real time. Ready, Meridian?"
"Was born ready," she replied then lunged at me.
I easily dodge her attack then counter with one of my own to gage her strength and, I have to admit, she's good...really good. We continued dueling for a few more minutes until our swords connected and I saw my opportunity. Out blades connected and hers went flying.
"Very good," I told her, removing my blade from her throat. Another smirk began growing on her face. "Just one pointer." Confusion flashed in her eyes. "Always expect the unexpected," I told her as I kicked her feet out from underneath her. Better she learn that lesson here than in the real world. "I want to see everyone working their butts off on this move! Get back to work!" I yelled and the crowd dispersed. "You alright?" I asked, turning back to Meridian and offering her my hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, taking my hand and allowing me to help her to her feet. "Thanks." She smiled at me, a genuine smile this time.
"No problem," I said, smiling back before picking up her sword and holding it out to her.
"How'd you know that I underestimated you?" she asked, taking her sword from me and changing it back to a clip.
"The look on your face, I could tell you were cocky as hell the second I saw you," I replied, another smile playing on my lips.
"My Mom did always say I was too cocky for my own good," she mused, putting the clip in her hair as I laughed.
I opened my mouth to ask if she wanted to try again but was interrupted by Jay. "Ari! Ari! Andy got into another fight with Elliot!"
"You guys are dismissed!" I yelled before changing my sword back into a necklace and meeting Jay halfway to the door. "Can you take me to them little dude?"
He started leading me out the door as fast as his little feet could take him, barely giving me enough time to grab my bag as we walked out the door. When I saw the group of people Jay was leading us toward, I pulled him into my arms and picked up the pace. Only stopping when I saw Krystal's tear streaked face at the edge of the crowd.
"I-I tried to get the-them to st-stop but they just w-won't." Krystal's voice was shaking as she stared at me with tear filled eyes.
Setting Jay down, I squatted down next to her and gave her a hug. "It's alright sweetie, I'll get them to stop." I kissed her head before standing up, handing her my bag, and forcing my way through the crowd, a familiar feeling bubbling in my stomach. Finally breaking through the last of the crowd, I immediately yanked Elliot up by his shirt and held Andy down with my foot. Closing my eyes and forcing the feeling back down as it tried to break from its cage. "We had a deal. You don't fight, we stay on good terms. You broke that deal and any chance we had of ever being friends again." My voice was cold as I pushed him away.
"But Ari-" he started, taking a step forward as his familiar brown eyes full of sorrow.
I almost broke, I almost gave into his brown eyes like I would have three years ago but then I thought of all the pain he'd caused me, of Krystal's tear streaked face and I couldn't. "I don't want to listen to your excuses. Leave." I pushed him away again. "Now," I hissed when he just looked at me. He looked at me one more time before slowly walking away from me and the remainder of people still circling our little group, most of them had left when I'd broken up the fight.
Taking my foot off Andy's chest, I bent down and yanked him to his feet by his arm. "Are you alright?" I questioned, looking him up and down. "What am I thinking, of course you're not? Your right eye's already starting to bruise." Pulling Andy over to Jay and Krystal, I noticed Meridian for the first time. She must have followed us here. Krystal held out one of the vials of salt water in one hand and one of the squares of ambrosia I kept in my bag for times like this once I was close enough. Grabbing the vial of water, I smiled my thanks to her before opening it and holding it out to Andy. "This should help. It's not bad enough to need ambrosia or nectar."
"Thanks," he murmured, using his powers to extract the water from the vial and hold it to his eye.
"What was it over the time?" I questioned, putting the stopper back in the vial.
"Nothing," he replied, refusing to meet my gaze.
Looking over to where my siblings and Meridian were standing, a sigh escaped my lips. "You're off the hook for now but I'll find out eventually. Just try not to do it again, you're always the one that ends up getting hurt."
He smiled softly at me, letting the salt water fall from his newly healed skin before pulling me into a hug. "I'll try but I can't make any promises."
"Good." Pulling away from the hug, I lead him over to Meridian, Krystal, and Jay. "Andy, I'd like you to meet Meridian, daughter of Ares. Meridian, this doof is Andy, son of Poseidon."
"Hey," he greeted, his eyes lighting up in a way I'd never seen them before.
"Hi," she replied, smiling softly at him...almost shyly.
"Would you like me to show you around camp? I doubt anyone has since you're so new." He asked, hope filling his voice.
"That'd be great," she replied, smiling more confidently at him before turning to me. "You want to come, Ariadne?"
Andy was shaking his head behind her, silently asking me to say no so I put a fake smile on my face and replied, "No, I just going to take Jay and Krystal back to the cabin. I'll catch up with you guys later."
"Alright, I'll see you later." She smiled back, not realizing how much pain she'd inflicted on me in less than five minutes.
"Yeah, I'll see you two later," I replied allowing Krystal and Jay to pull me one way while Meridian and Andy went the other.